Setting up family rules for screen time and devices: Using the Family Tech Agreement

The Family Tech Agreement offers several meaningful benefits for parents. It’s not just a set of screen time rules—it’s a powerful tool for building trust, structure, and digital safety in your home with your kids’ participation.

Here’s how it helps:

🌟 1. Puts Guardrails in Place

The agreement acts like digital "seatbelts." It lays out clear expectations for how devices should (and shouldn’t) be used—without constant reminders or nagging.

• What apps are allowed

• When screens can be used

• Where devices stay at night (like a central charging station)​

This structure helps prevent battles and keeps everyone on the same page.

🤝 2. Encourages Collaboration, Not Control

Instead of top-down rules, this agreement is created with your child, giving them a say in the process. That’s huge.

• Kids are more likely to follow rules that they help create

• Builds communication and mutual respect

• Teaches negotiation skills

• Teaches decision-making and accountability​

🛡 3. Prioritizes Safety

It includes non-negotiable safety rules—like not talking to strangers, keeping accounts private, and setting boundaries around content and screen time.

• These guard against cyberbullying, sextortion, and inappropriate content

• Helps kids learn to spot red flags and come to you if something feels off​​

🧠 4. Supports Mental Health

It reinforces habits like:

• Tech-free mornings and nights

• Taking breaks from screens

• Reflecting on how online time is spent (creating original content vs. consuming/scrolling)

These habits support better sleep, less anxiety, and more offline connection​​

📈 5. Evolves With Your Child

It’s designed to be updated as your child grows.

• Younger kids can have stricter limits and boundaries

• Teens can gradually earn more freedom

• You can adjust rules based on maturity, responsibility, and needs​

💬 Parents Say It Best:

“I learned practical tools to build a culture of safety for our family—the online contract, the monitoring options available and how to support a healthy relationship with screen time.”
—Parent feedback from a Center for Online Safety workshop​

See exactly how to set up your Family Tech Agreement here.

Bottom line:
A Family Tech Agreement turns screen time from a source of conflict into a collaborative, values-based conversation. It helps your child build digital resilience, and helps you feel more confident guiding them through the tech years.

Want a free customizable version? It's available in English and Spanish .